A Newmarket-trained double winner and a star of Carlisle’s flat season will both be chasing hat-tricks in the course’s next big races.
Thursday’s eight-race card has two strong fields for the biggest prize events with nine declared for both the Watch Racing TV Now Handicap and EBF Fillies Handicap.
In the former, George Scott brings his five-year-old Jack The Truth north from Suffolk after successes at both Newbury and on home turf this summer. An apprentice handicap win was followed by another five-furlong triumph where he ran on well to claim the prize.
Scott’s stable has been in good recent form with a clutch of other wins and places at recent meetings in Yarmouth, Lingfield, Doncaster and Hamilton.
Also likely to be challenging over the five-furlongs are Afandem, returning for Tim Easterby after being second at Carlisle’s last meeting and leading them home at the course in May.
Jedd O’Keeffe’s Only Spoofing was a winner at Beverley earlier this month and Spirit of Wedza for Julie Camacho took a five furlong at Hamilton in May.
In the afternoon’s second feature race, the fillies get their turn with eyes on Keith Dalgleish’s Caustic Love. The three-year-old bay enjoyed a jubilant June with success at two Carlisle meetings. In the first she had the luxury of easing down after clearing the 17-strong field while John Mackie’s Polyphony pushed her harder on the second time of asking.
There shouldn’t be a lack of confidence from the rest of the field though with no fewer than five horses recording wins this year. Of those, Easterby’s Lady Calcaria won another fillies handicap here in May and has followed up with a couple of places.
Roy’s Dream for Paul Collins was a winner at this meeting last year and enjoyed success at Bath in May.
Elsewhere on the card, Mark Johnston returns to Durdar after closing with a double at last Saturday’s meeting. On that occasion it was two of his three-year-olds, I Am
A Dreamer and Yellow Tiger, taking the honours. This time his Kingsley Park yard has Godolphin two-year-old Tulip Fields in a fillies’ novice stakes.
Cumbrian trainer Dianne Sayer is enjoying an excellent season at her local track with five wins from just 13 runners. Her hope, The Navigator, has already run at Carlisle three times this season and will be looking to go one better than his previous best in the afternoon’s opening handicap over 1m 3f.
The meeting closes with 28 declared for the two divisions of a six-furlong handicap. In the first, Paul Midgley’s Ninjago has a Thirsk success on his record this year and was runner up last time out at Hamilton. Picks Pinta for John David Riches has three places from six North Cumbrian outings.
In the second, Tarnhelm, winner at the last Carlisle meeting goes for County Durham-based trainer Wilf Storey. Rhona Pindar, who guided the 20-1 shot from last to first that day, again takes the ride. Joseph Tuite’s Who Told Jo Jo was a winner at Bath in May.
In all 78 runners and riders have been declared.
Tickets for Thursday’s racing are £15 for adults if booked in advance. Under-18s gain free entry when accompanied by an adult.
Gates open at noon, first race is at 2pm, last race at 5.55pm.
